Driver pay tops list of truckers’ biggest concerns in 2023

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) recently released its annual report ranking truckers’ top concerns in 2023.

Each year, the ATRI surveys motor carriers, truck drivers, industry suppliers, driver trainers, and law enforcement to create their list of the year’s top trucking industry concerns. This year, more than 4000 people responded to the ATRI survey.

More than 47% of the survey respondents were motor carrier executives and personnel, while truck drivers represented 29%.

For the first time ever, law enforcement represented 5% of survey respondents, so the ATRI completed a new separate analysis ranking top motor carrier enforcement personnel concerns.

Top 10 Issues For Commercial Drivers

1. Driver Compensation
2. Truck Parking
3. Fuel Prices
4. Speed Limiters
5. Detention / Delay at Customer Facilities
6. Driver Training Standards
7. Economy
8. Broker Issues
9. ELD Mandate
10. Autonomous Trucks

Top 10 Issues For Motor Carriers

1. Economy
2. Driver Shortage
3. Lawsuit Abuse Reform
4. Driver Retention
5. Fuel Prices
6. Insurance Cost / Availability
7. Zero-Emission Vehicles
8. Truck Parking
9. Diesel Technician Shortage
10. Driver Distraction

Overall Top 10 Trucking Industry Issues

1. Economy
2. Truck Parking
3. Fuel Prices
4. Driver Shortage
5. Driver Compensation
6. Lawsuit Abuse Reform
7. Driver Distraction
8. Detention/Delay At Customer Facilities
9. Zero-Emission Vehicles

Motor Carrier Enforcement Personel Issues

1. Driver Distraction
2. Hours-of-Service
3. Driver Training Standards

This is the first year that Zero-Emission Vehicles have made the ATRI ranking.

“ATRI’s list thoroughly and accurately reflects the challenges we’ve faced this year,” said ATA Chairman Dan Van Alstine, Ruan Transportation Management Systems President and COO.  “Costs were up and demand was down, all while we worked to navigate a number of workforce and regulatory issues.  Thankfully, ATRI’s analysis doesn’t just tell us what the issues are, it spells out a number of data-driven strategies that the industry can pursue to address them.”